Hospital relights tradition

TICONDEROGA A long-time Ticonderoga tradition is about to be renewed as Moses-Ludington Hospital prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary. The hospital has planted a Colorado blue spruce atop the hill overlooking the hamlets western entrance. The tree will be lighted each year for the Christmas season. It was a long-standing tradition with the community that the Christmas season started when the lights went on at the top of the hill, explained Carol Johnson, MLH director of community devolvement. The tree died in the 1970s and so did the tradition. Its time we replace the tree, said Johnson. Because the tree is new, hospital officials fear will not stand up to the rigors of decorations this winter. Instead, flood lights will adorn the tree. In future years the tree will be decorated for Christmas. Besides welcoming the 2007 holiday season, the tree serves another purpose, Johnson noted. It kicks off the hospitals centennial celebration. The hospital was formed in 1908. Johnson and Bill Dolback, town historian, serve as co-chairs of the hospital centennial committee. We will have events throughout the year (2008) to celebrate our 100th anniversary, Johnson said. Well have a major event next fall to mark the actual anniversary. Shattuck Memorial Hospital was incorporated Sept. 19, 1908, Dolback said, with major financial support from Ti native and philanthropist Horace Moses. The 12-bed hospital cost $12,000 to construct. The next year it was named Moses Hospital. In 1920 Moses led a campaign to build a new hospital, adjacent to the old one. The new facility, completed in 1923, had 48 beds. It was financed by Moses and a family friend, Mrs. David Ludington. It was at that time the facility became known as Moses-Ludington Hospital. In 1946 a new wing was added to expand the hospital. In 1981 the present MLH was constructed near the old hospital.